“So you’re not coming to the door with me?” Bradford searched his face as she attached her earbud and switched on the receiver.
He turned the car onto School Road, found the house, and pulled up outside. “I’ll be close by but I don’t want to frighten her.” He pulled out his communication device and waved her from the car.
When Deputy Bradford knocked on the door, Kane caught sight of an athletic woman in her mid-twenties. He listened with interest as Bradford explained the reason for her visit.
“As you can imagine, we are following any possible leads to prevent this from happening to other children.” Bradford’s voice dropped to a confidential whisper. “Any information you could offer might save another girl from being taken.”
“Really? Why come to me now?” Pattie McCarthy’s voice was shrill. “No one offered to help me at the time, did they? My parents thought I was lying and so did the sheriff.”
“I don’t think you lied or I wouldn’t be here.” Bradford straightened. “Do you mind telling me about your whereabouts this week?”
“I was home most of the time. I don’t go out much.” Pattie sneered. “Oh, this isn’t about the girls you found, is it? I watch the news. You think I had something to do with the men’s bodies showing up all over town.” She snorted as if in disgust. “Well, let me see, I went out on Wednesday into town to buy groceries and walked around the festival. I did see a few people I know. Let me see, Susie Hartwig at Aunt Betty’s Café, will that do?”
“I’ll speak to her.” Bradford made a few notes. “Anyone else?”
“Not that I recall but I’m sure many people saw me in town.”
“What about Saturday night?” Bradford cleared her throat. “Did you go out at all?”
“I was home alone. I don’t go out on dates.”
“What make of car do you drive?” Bradford looked down at her notebook.
“A Jeep.” Pattie stared past her at Kane. “Do you need the earbud communication device so Deputy Kane can listen? Does he get off on hearing the lurid details?” she snorted and her lip curled. “Yes, I know your name, Deputy Kane. I don’t see you taking women out on dates. Prefer little girls, do you?”
Kane turned his head, disturbed by her disgusting insinuation. He spoke into his mic. “I can’t believe she teaches children with that kind of attitude. Keep asking the questions.”
“Miss McCarthy, if you have a valid reason for that comment, I’m sure Sheriff Alton will be more than happy to take your complaint, but right now we need information.” Bradford tossed her blonde head in an agitated manner. “You told the sheriff someone kidnapped you as a child. Can you remember how many people were involved?”
“Okay, fine, but you need to watch men like Deputy Kane.”
“I’ll make sure to.” Bradford hunched her shoulders. “Please, Miss McCarthy, any details you can offer would be of great help.”
“I remember the kidnapping like it was yesterday. A man grabbed me from my bed, dragged me out the window, and bundled me into his car.” Pattie grunted in anger. “Four men abused me then one of them dropped me back inside my window. When I told my dad, he said I was having a bad dream.” Her eyes blazed. “They didn’t even call a doctor to examine me. My father hit me and told me he was ashamed of me.” She bit down hard on her lip, leaving marks. “He took me to the sheriff’s office as a punishment; he wanted him to lock me up for the night to scare me straight. No one would believe me, no one.”
“I believe you. Where did the assault occur—in a house?”
“No, not a house.” Pattie shook her head. “It was the Fall Festival, like now. I’m pretty sure he took me to a tent in the park. I could hear the canvas flapping.”
The hair on the back of Kane’s neck stood on end. “Ask her if they wore masks.”
Bradford relayed the question and he waited for Pattie to reply. “They put a bag over my head and gagged me but I remember things about them. The smell of them, for instance, but it is too late to do anything now. It would be my word against theirs, wouldn’t it?”
“Maybe not. Can you remember anything significant at all? Any small thing might help us to find these men.”
“Enough questions. I am not going to rake this up again. It gives me nightmares. I’ve been in therapy for years.” Pattie shook her head and backed away. “That’s all I’m going to say. I have to go. I have an appointment in town.”
“Just one more thing. How long ago did this happen?”
“Fourteen years ago this week.” Pattie’s gaze moved back to Kane in the car, and if looks could kill, he would be toast.
He barked out a question. “Ask her if one had a spider tattoo on his hand and tell her two of them have been murdered. Watch for her reaction.”
When Bradford relayed the question, from Kane’s viewpoint he could see the color drain from Pattie’s face.
She snarled her reply. “I don’t remember but I’m glad they are dead. They got what they deserved.”
17